Man flees cops, ends up in 3-car crash

Four people, including a DuPage County sheriff's deputy, were hurt Saturday night when a man tried to flee a traffic stop in Darien and ran into vehicles at a nearby stoplight, officials said.

The incident started around 10:30 p.m. when a Westmont police officer tried to pull over a driver on suspicion of driving drunk near 67th Street and Cass Avenue, according to police. The driver, later identified as Alejandro A. Martinez-Aguilera, 23, of Westmont, initially stopped, but then took off south on Cass Avenue.

The Westmont police officer pursued the van for a short distance -- about 37 seconds, police said -- until the van struck a Lexus SUV that was stopped at a red light at 75th Street and Cass (map), then hit a DuPage County sheriff's squad car, which was also at the stoplight.

Martinez-Aguilera and two people in the vehicle that was stopped at the light were taken to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove to be treated for injuries, according to police. The DuPage County deputy was taken to Hinsdale Hospital. Two of the injured were taken to hospitals in serious condition and the two others in critical condition, fire officials said. One had to be cut out of his vehicle.

Martinez-Aguilera was charged with aggravated driving under the influence, according to police.

Westmont police said they were reviewing the pursuit to determine if department policies were followed, but said the officer's action appeared to be in compliance with department guidelines.